9th Tuesday

ninth Tuesday

On the Love Which our Blessed Father had for God

Transcript

“So they took Jesus, and he went out bearing his own cross.” John 19:17

The sword of sorrow prophesied by Simeon was deep in Mary’s heart as she watched her Son carry His cross to Calvary. Despite her pain, she remained out of love for her Son. St. Dominic learned both from his earthly mother and his heavenly Mother how to love God with his whole heart.

It is often said of St. Dominic that he always spoke with God or about God. He never wasted time, always acting to bring souls to God. Dominic knew that these actions must flow from and be strengthened by his own life of prayer and dedication to the Lord. No matter how tired or ill he was, he always made time for quiet prayer with his Lord. Dominic’s love was fanned into ardent flames in h s prayer, and from his loving meetings with God he was able to go forth and set others on fire with the same love.

St. Dominic’s love for God was such that he always desired to do God’s will and never his own. Whatever good God gave him, or whatever suffering or evil God permitted to happen, Dominic cheerfully embraced out of love for the giver. He knew as Job did that we must accept the good and the evils that come to us, as they all serve to deepen our love for God.

St. Dominic’s love for God was deepened and refined through his love of the Blessed Mother. God’s love in the Word Incarnate came to us through Mary, and Dominic knew that the best way to return his love to God was through that same perfect vessel. He entrusted his life, his Order, and his preaching to her motherly care.

As followers of St. Dominic, we, too, are called to love God above all things, particularly through devotion to His Holy Mother. We must fight the modern tendency to constant busyness and ensure that we set aside time to be alone with our Spouse whom we love. For in that silence of prayer and adoration, our love is strengthened and increased, preparing us to set the world ablaze with the fire of love for God.

Let us honor today the fourth sorrowful mystery of the Rosary, the Carrying of the Cross, and let us beg, by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin and St. Dominic, an ardent love of God.